1. John Wall PG, Kentucky Fr. (6-4, 195)
NBA comparison: Russell Westbrook, Thunder
Derrick Rose is the most commonly used comparison, and while they are similar players, I think the way that Westbrook looks to pass more than Rose and how he plays in transition is closer to Westbrook than Rose. He should try to mirror Westbrook's defense and physical attacks to the basket.
2. Evan Turner SG/SF, Ohio State Jr. (6-7, 205)
NBA comparison: Brandon Roy, Trail Blazers
Evan Turner, like Roy, can do a little bit of everything. Both are large guards that can play the point, but also aren't afraid to go in after rebounds. Neither are elite athletes and use cleverness and size to score. Turner needs to improve his handle and shooting like Roy.
3. Derrick Favors PF, Georgia Tech Fr. (6-9, 245)
NBA comparison: Amare Stoudemire, Suns
Amare is one of the few guys as big as Favors who are as long and as athletic as he is. Favors is a better defender, but both guys share that instinct to stay down in the post and battle, instead of playing on the perimeter. Favors needs to polish his game like Stoudemire's.
4. Wesley Johnson SG/SF, Syracuse Jr. (6-7, 200)
NBA comparison: Kevin Durant, Thunder
Obviously, Johnson isn't a prospect like Durant, but I think that the way they use their size, length, and athleticism is very similar. Both are so long and athletic that they can get their jump shot off over anyone, and both have a very sweet stroke. They also are a terror running the floor in transition and are good rebounders. Johnson needs to learn to handle the ball like Durant and take it to the rim.
5. DeMarcus Cousins PF/C, Kentucky Fr. (6-11, 270)
NBA comparison: Zach Randolph, Grizzles
I feel bad comparing them because they both have character issues, but it's not fair to either to compare them like that. However, Cousins and Randolph are both so huge that they can score in the paint at will and are hard to remove from rebounding position. Cousins could stand to learn better footwork by watching Randolph.
6. Al-Farouq Aminu SF, Wake Forest So. (6-8, 205)
NBA comparison: Thaddeus Young, 76ers
Both Aminu and Young are tweeners at this point. Aminu could develop his perimeter game and become a 3, but right now he's better suited as an undersized power forward. Both players are strong rebounders. Aminu needs to develop his three point shooting and midrange game like Young has.
7. Ed Davis PF, North Carolina So. (6-10, 225)
NBA comparison: J.J Hickson,
Both are similar in height, athleticism and length, though Hickson right now is much stronger at this point. Both are pretty raw, but have a really strong motor and a few moves to build on. The main thing for Davis to do is add muscle and refine his offensive game while watching the way Hickson puts himself in positions for teammates to set him up.
8. Greg Monroe PF/C, Georgetown So. (6-11, 250)
NBA comparison: Lamar Odom, Lakers
Both Lamar Odom and Greg Monroe are lefties that have excellent handles for their size, are great passers, and can initiate offense for their teammates. Neither is an elite athlete, both use their size and length to be effective rebounders. Also, Odom and Monroe tend to run hot and cold a lot. Monroe needs to learn better decision making on when to balance scoring and passing.
9. Ekpe Udoh PF, Baylor Jr. (6-10, 240)
NBA comparison: Kevin Garnett, Celtics
Ekpe Udoh isn't quite the athlete that Garnett was in his prime, but both share several characteristics. First off, they're both potential game changers on defense. Not just as shot blocker, but also on-ball post defense. They also both have nice midrange games, and have an underrated part of their game in their passing ability. Udoh can learn overall offensive polish from Garnett, but also try to imitate the way he quarterbacks the defense.
10. Hassan Whiteside C, Marshall Fr. (6-11, 225)
NBA comparison: Marcus Camby, Trailblazers
Both Camby and Whiteside are athletic, lanky shotblockers with great mobility. Neither are very good scorers, though both can score just of athleticism and Whiteside is developing a jumpshot. Whiteside needs to give more consistent effort like Camby, who's a relentless defender.
11. Donatas Motiejunas PF, Lithuania (7-0, 220)
NBA comparison: Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
Both Nowitzki and Motiejunas are capable shooters, especially from midrange, and are hard to stop in that respect because they're both so tall. Also, Motiejunas can score in the post like Nowitzki used to do. Motiejunes needs to add muscles and work on his footwork to help him get space.
12. Patrick Patterson PF, Kentucky Jr. (6-8, 245)
NBA comparison: Jeff Green, Thunder
Neither Jeff Green or Patrick Patterson are the ideal size for a power forward, however, both guys create matchup problems due to their quickness, ball handling, stretch shooting, and their speed and athleticism in transition. Patterson needs to learn how to set up defenders with his shooting to open up drives to the basket for him, something Green has mastered.
13. James Anderson SG, Oklahoma State Jr. (6-6, 195)
NBA comparison: John Salmons, Bucks
I think that James Anderson has a lot more upside as a player than Salmons, but their offensive games are similar because neither in an explosive athlete but both can find other ways to score. They'll both shoot the lights out, but are also good a getting into the paint and scoring in the lane or at the rim. Anderson can really round out his offensive game by adding some post moves, because he, like Salmons, will have a height advantage on some 2's.
14. Daniel Orton PF/C Kentucky Fr. (6-10, 260)
NBA comparison: Kendrick Perkins, Celtics
Daniel Orton has a ton more upside than Kendrick Perkins, mainly because he moves so much better than Perkins and is a better athlete. However, at this point Orton doesn't do much besides rebound and block shots, like Perkins. Over time, I think Orton can develop a better offensive game, however right now he limited. Orton needs to embrace that role while his offense develops.
15. Cole Aldrich C, Kansas Jr. (6-11, 245)
NBA comparison: Joel Przybilla, Blazers
Cole Aldrich is a better offensive player than Joel Przybilla, but I think that he'll be limited in NBA as far as that goes, though I'm not as high on him as others. However, he's got decent size and should be a solid rebounder and shotblocker at the next level at the least. If Aldrich can learn to be a role player, he should be a valuable asset to a team.
16. Xavier Henry SG, Kansas Fr. (6-6, 220)
NBA comparison: Ray Allen, Celtics
Shooting is the bread-and-butter of Xavier Henry and Ray Allen. I'm not saying Henry will be the historically great shooter that Allen is, but he can really stroke it from deep. Also, both guys are underrated in their ability to get to the basket. Neither is fantastic at it, but they can get the job done. Henry could learn a lot from Allen's ability to work screens to get open looks.
17. Avery Bradley PG/SG, Texas Fr. (6-3, 180)
NBA comparison: Monta Ellis, Warriors
Avery Bradley is being sold as the next Russell Westbrook, and I think he's the best candidate for that in this draft. However, I haven't seen the playmaking ability yet from Bradley to go that far, and I think he has more in common with Monta Ellis. Both guys are either undersized shooting guards or scoring point guards, depending on which position they play. They're great athletes who can get to the rim at will. Ellis isn't a great passer, but he's started using his quickness to set his teammates up better, something Bradley needs to learn if he wants to be a point.
18. Larry Sanders PF/C, VCU Jr. (6-10, 235)
NBA comparison: Serge Ibaka, Thunder
It's hard to find a guy who compares to Larry Sander's insane 7-7 wingspan, but Ibaka comes close. Neither guy is a polished player, but both are dominating shot blockers and rebounders. The offense is a work in progress, but they're developing post moves and a nice midrange jumper. If Sanders comes into the league and works as hard, both on and off the court, as Ibaka did in his rookie year, he'll have a big impact.
19. Craig Brackins PF, Iowa State Jr. (6-10, 230)
NBA comparison: LaMarcus Aldridge, Trail Blazers
Craig Brackins and LaMarcus Aldridge are versatile scorers with great length and athleticism. Both guys can score inside and out, can rebound very well, but aren't always a force on defense. If Brackins can improve his motor like Aldridge did, then he'll be a star. Brackins should also try to become the pick and roll/pop threat that Aldridge did.
20. Gordon Heyward SF, Butler So. (6-8, 200)
NBA comparison: Mike Dunleavy Jr.
Both Mike Dunleavy and Gordon Heyward are big for wing players and can shoot the lights out. Heyward is a better athlete, and should be more versatile on offense than Dunleavy. Both guys are good rebounders. Heyward, who like Dunleavy, was top dog in college and could get away with stuff that won't always work in the NBA. If Heyward can learn to play within himself, he'll be a valuable piece.
21. Paul George SG/SF, Fresno State So. (6-7, 185)
NBA comparison: Danny Granger, Pacers
Paul George and Danny Granger are explosive scorers, capable of getting hot from deep and then opening up the rest of their game through that. Both guys are very athletic, though Granger is about 35 pounds heavier and more of a natural 3. However, I think both their offensive games are similar. If George does play shooting guard, which I think he should, he can learn from the ways Granger uses his size advantage.
22. Jordan Crawford SG, Xavier (6-4, 195)
NBA comparison: Jamal Crawford, Hawks
Besides the fact that they share the same last name, both Jordan and Jamal Crawford (no relation) are natural scorers, able to put up huge amounts of points in mere minutes. Both guys have in-the-gym range, are effective slashers and know how to draw fouls. Once they get going, they're unstoppable scorers. Jamal Crawford did a great job using the threat of his scoring to set up teammates last year, and Jordan Crawford can do the same.
23. Eric Bledsoe PG, Kentucky Fr. (6-1, 190)
NBA comparison: Kyle Lowry, Rockets
Both Kyle Lowry and Eric Bledsoe are tough, small, superquick, athletic point guards who love to get out and run. They're pass first point guards who use their quickness to set up teammates and get to the rim. 3-point shooting needs work, but they can fill it up from deep when they get hot. They also love to push the tempo. Lowry has learned to take better care of the ball and Bledsoe definitely needs work there.
24. Quincy Pondexter SF, Washington Sr. (6-7, 220)
NBA comparison: Luol Deng, Bulls
When Luol Deng came into the league, he had no three point shot and made his living of using his length and athleticism to slash and be a tough defender. He also had a nice midrange game, that he eventually expanded to the three point line. Quincy Pondexter is in a similar situation and can learn from the way Deng did things.
25. Terrico White SG, Mississippi So. (6-5, 210)
NBA comparison: Jason Richardson, Suns
Both Terrico White and Jason Richardson are big, extremely athletic 2 guards that can really throw down. Richardson had become a very good three point shooter, but when he entered the league he wasn't a good shooter. However, he had the athleticism to get his shot off when he wants and get good looks at the basket. If White can add consistent 3 point shooting to his ability to handle the ball, slash and finish, he'll be tough to handle.
26. Damion James SF, Texas Sr. (6-8, 225)
NBA comparison: Gerald Wallace, Bobcats
When Gerald Wallace came into the league all he had was his hops and tenacious rebounding. He's become one the best defensive players and a fantastic rebounder, despite being 6-7. Since then he's slowly expanded his offensive game, adding range out to the three point line. Damion James is in a similar situation and should being his motor, tough rebounding and defense to any team. He's got the ability to be a consistent scorer, and if he can work that out he's be a quality on any team.
27. Solomon Alabi C, Florida State (7-1, 250)
NBA comparison: Robin Lopez, Suns
Both Solomon Alabi and Robin Lopez have tremendous size, however they haven't quite figured out how to use it yet (Lopez has this year, but he wasn't a great rebounder in college or his rookie year). They're both good shot blockers, but should be better. Once Lopez figured it out, he became a very important player in his second season for a playoff team. Alabi has some nice base skills to expand on, but he needs the coaching he couldn't get in college to become the player he should.
28. Jerome Jordan C, Tulsa Sr. (7-0, 250)
NBA comparison: Jermaine O'Neal
Before injuries derailed him, Jermaine O'Neal was very good starting center. He was an excellent rebounder and a ferocious shot blocker. But most of all, he was able to use his quickness and athleticism to score down low. If Jerome Jordan can develop the face-up game O'Neal has, he'll become a very similar player.
29. Darington Hobson SF, New Mexico Jr. (6-7, 205)
NBA comparison: Boris Diaw, Bobcats
Boris Diaw doesn't do anything great, but he's on of the more unique players in the league because he's a 6-8 forward that can handle the ball, pass, shoot, rebound, and defend. Darington Hobson can do all those things too and is also a leader and scorer. If Hobson can become a role player in the NBA, he can become a huge asset to a playoff team because of his ability to play so many positions, create match up problems, and be a swiss army knife for his team.
30. Dominique Jones SG, South Florida Jr. (6-4, 205)
NBA comparison: Tyreke Evans, Kings
Dominique Jones is a scorer plain and simple. Like Evans, he's not a elite athlete, but still excels at getting to the rim with a quick first step and scoring in the paint with layups and short jump shots. Both guys have great body control and can get shots to fall while hanging in the air. They're also both streaky long range shooters, but can get hot and bury a team.
Just missed: Luke Babbitt, Nevada; Kevin Seraphin, France; Willie Warren, Oklahoma; Devin Ebanks, West Virginia; Lance Stephenson, Cincinnati.
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